Taking the Long Canyon Trail up Gold Hill is shorter than taking the official Gold Hill Trail from Bull-of-the-Woods Pasture. However, this means it skips a lot of the scenic aspect of the longer trail, while offering a stream-side experience…
Gold Hill via Bull of the Woods Pasture
Gold Hill was probably one of the most peaceful, most beautiful trails I took on our trek across the southwest last summer. There was a quality to it that was nothing short of pleasant – a ramble through the wilderness…
Delight in the Wilderness
I read a beautiful quote about the wilderness the other day. The author said, When God created the earth, He put so many delightful things in it because He stocked it from heaven. Right? So He’s filled the earth…
17 Arches Across the West (you probably haven’t heard of)
There’s something about the gracious span of an arch that takes our breath away. The gravity-defying feat is eye-catching at worst, and enthralling at best. Many people know about famous arches and natural bridges, like Delicate Arch or Landscape Arch…
Frigid Summer Fun at Zapata Falls
Zapata Falls is a very cool hike – well, the end is cool, both interesting and cold. It’s not a long hike, which makes it a haven for families, especially on hot summer days, but the trail up to the…
Preparedness is Key
It is absolutely vital to be prepared when we go out into the wilderness. Some parks require specific tools and preparation – for example, a shovel and a bucket; or to carry a certain amount of water per person; or…
Climbing the Ladders to Alcove House
Probably one of my favorite hikes in Bandelier is Alcove House. One of the great things is that it’s not that much longer to take the Main Loop to the Alcove House Trail, so you get to see the cliff…
Generously Compensated for Failure
A number of months ago, a social media friend posted a picture of a beautiful mountain scene. He wrote, “Hiking up from the Lake Louise ski hill in October in Banff National Park I had planned to go over…
Best Day Hikes in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is a land of extremes – incredibly dry desert, mountains, bristlecone forests, cacti, sand dunes, wildflowers, canyons, old mines, and waterfalls, not to mention rich history, hiking options galore, and the bragging rights of “the lowest place in…
God Guiding Us
Last time, we talked about how God is with us all the time – both on the trail and if we get off the trail, guiding us back to the right path. Whether we can feel Him or not,…